Self-contained minimal action invasive blood constituent system

Abstract

A minimal action, invasive blood constituent device can streamline the process for the self-monitoring of blood-related tests by holding and facilitating the use of some or all of the tools for obtaining and testing a blood sample. The device can include a slider, that when pumped, causes the device to spring-load a lancet and eject a testing strip. The device can include a trigger that, when pressed, activates the lancet by unloading the spring. A strip-lancet apparatus can combine the roles of two disposable products—a testing strip and a lancing needle—into an apparatus that can be configured for piercing the testing site as well as receiving the blood sample. A testing strip apparatus can facilitate the use and/or disposal of testing strips. A lancet apparatus can facilitate the use and/or disposal of lancets.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An invasive blood constituent device comprising:
 a trigger; 
 a testing strip; 
 a lancet; and 
 a slider, the slider configured to, upon sliding in a first direction, cause the device to load the lancet, and the slider configured to, upon sliding in a second direction, cause the device to present the testing strip, 
 wherein activation of the trigger after loading the lancet causes the device to activate the lancet, wherein activation of the lancet causes the lancet to prick a measurement site of a user. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lancing spring, wherein loading the lancet comprises compressing the lancing spring, wherein activation of the lancet comprises decompressing the lancing spring. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a testing strip cartridge comprising a plurality of stacked testing strips, wherein the plurality of stacked testing strips comprises the testing strip; and 
 a strip guiding rod, 
 wherein the sliding of the slider in the second direction causes the strip guiding rod to move the testing strip from the plurality of stacked testing strips and present the testing strip. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a glucometer configured to obtain data from a blood sample on the testing strip. 
     
     
       5. A method of using an invasive blood constituent device comprising:
 sliding a slider of the invasive blood constituent device in a first direction to cause the invasive blood constituent device to load a lancet; 
 sliding the slider in a second direction to cause the invasive blood constituent device to present a testing strip; and 
 after loading the lancet, activating a trigger of the invasive blood constituent device, wherein activation of the trigger after loading the lancet causes the device to activate the lancet, wherein activation of the lancet causes the lancet to prick a measurement site of a user. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising loading a lancing spring, wherein loading the lancet comprises compressing the lancing spring, and wherein activating the trigger decompresses the lancing spring. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , the invasive blood constituent device comprising:
 a testing strip cartridge comprising a plurality of stacked testing strips, wherein the plurality of stacked testing strips comprises the testing strip; and 
 a strip guiding rod, 
 wherein sliding the slider in the second direction causes the strip guiding rod to move the testing strip from the plurality of stacked testing strips and present the testing strip. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising receiving, using the testing strip, a blood sample from the user. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising obtaining data from the blood sample on the testing strip. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the obtaining data is performed by a glucometer of the invasive blood constituent device.